A fifth-round draft pick in 2009 who started six games (including playoffs) as a rookie, Brinkley missed all of last season following hip surgery that cost him a chance to beat out Erin Henderson at weakside linebacker.

He's the projected starter at middle linebacker this season but hasn't practiced since June 6 because of the groin, which required him to stay in the Twin Cities for treatment after minicamp ended.

"I'm ready to go," Brinkley told the Chronicle. "My first year, I was thrown in the fire and had to learn on the go. I've just built off that year after year. I'm just blessed to be around a lot of great guys, and I'm blessed to come from a great hometown."

Brinkley was back in Thomson, Ga., on Friday to hold his Camp 54 football camp for 180 children along with a group of friends including Henderson and Brinkley's twin brother, Casper.